Major Projects

On-going Projects

  Generation

There are presently three major hydroelectric projects under construction. While these projects are primarily aimed for export, only the surplus power generated is exported after meeting the domestic demand.

    Tala Hydroelectric Project

This project is scheduled for completion in the year 2005/2006 with an installed capacity of 1020 MW and an annual generation of 4865 Million Units. The project is financed by the Government of India with a financing mix of bilateral assistance and soft loan. This project is the largest high-head (860m) power plant being constructed in the region.

    Kurichu Hydroelectric Project

This project is scheduled for completion by 2002 with an installed capacity of 60 MW and an annual generation of 400 Million Units. Generation from three units (out of four) started from October 2001 and it has started supplying power to six dzongkhags in eastern Bhutan and two dzongkhags in south-central Bhutan. Surplus power is being exported to India through the 132 kV Gelephu-Salakati line. The project is financed by a combination of bilateral assistance and soft loan from the Government of India.

    Basochu Upper Stage Hydropower Project

This project has an installed capacity of 22.2 MW with an annual generation of 105 Million Units. The project has been commissioned and will be completed by December 2001. This project has helped to augment the generation supply in western Bhutan as well as improve the reliability of power supply in the region. The project is financed by the Austrian Government under a financing mix of bilateral assistance and soft loan.

    Basochu Lower Stage (Rurichu) Hydropower Project

A turn-key project agreement was signed on September 13, 2001 between the Royal Government of Bhutan and Austrian Hydro Consortium Basochu (AHCB) for the lower stage of the Basochu project. This second stage will have an installed capacity of 40 MW with an annual energy generation of 186 Million Units, and is expected to be completed within 36 months. The project is financed under Official Austrian Export Promotion Scheme Loan. The project construction is scheduled to start from January 2002.

    Re-commissioning/refurbishing of mini hydels

Rehabilitation of eight mini hydels built between 1966-1988 started from the Seventh Five Year plan and is scheduled for completion by December 2002. Most of the rehabilitated stations are connected to the main grid.

    The Kellungchu Valley Project (Rongchu Micro Hydel) in Thimyul, Lhuentse

A 200 kW micro hydel station has been built in Thimyul across the Rongchu tributary of Kurichu in Lhuentse. The project was conceived under the Activities Implemented Jointly between the Dutch Ministry of Environment, Netherlands & the Royal Government of Bhutan. The project will electrify around 130 households in and around Kellungchu valley. The work on the project has been completed and is scheduled for inauguration on December 17, 2001.

  Transmission

Works are in progress to extend the transmission lines from the on-going mega hydroprojects or the existing plants to as many dzongkhags as possible. The major transmission lines under construction (or near completion) are described below.

    Eastern Transmission Grid

The Eastern Transmission Grid is being developed to evacuate power from the 60 MW Kurichu hydroelectric project to six districts in eastern Bhutan and two districts in south central Bhutan. Surplus power from the project is to be exported through south central Bhutan. A total distance of 262 km long 132 kV grid network has been completed during the Eight Five Year plan with six major transmission substations to distribute power to the various load centers. The 48 km long transmission line to Lhuentse and the substation at Tangmachu will be completed in the begining of the Ninth Five Year plan. The project is financed by the Government of India through bilateral assistance.

    Western Transmission Grid (220 kV Semtokha-Basochu Transmission line)

In Western Bhutan, 23 km long 66 kV transmission line from Lobesa to Basochu Upper Stage has been completed. For the 220 kV Semtokha-Basochu Transmission line, construction work is about to be started.

  Rural Electrification

Under the Power Distribution programme, 6211 additional consumers (till December 2000) have been added to the system during the Eight Five Year plan. Extensive rural electrification works have been carried out in about 189 villages in the Dzongkhags of Ha, Samdrupjongkhar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Chukha, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Paro and Lhuentse. About 80% of the work has been completed for further rural electrification of an additional 6028 households in various dzongkhags under the Second ADB Rural Electrification Project. Works have also started to electrify additional 388 households in Dungkhar, Chungkha and Zhemgang under SDP (Sustainable Development Project) funding from the Netherlands.

Solar electrification of remote schools, basic health units and community centers in the various dzongkhags is also being carried out. About 50 solar sets are being provided to each dzongkhag under Dutch assistance. Under the sustainable rural electrification loan project from ADB, 20 households will be electrified. A Dutch bicycle campaign organized by an NGO contributed about Nu.1,600,000 for solar electrification of Singkhar Lori in Samdrup Jongkhar.

  Electricity Act

The Asian Development Bank has been providing technical assistance for the restructuring of power sector and corporatisation of the utility functions of the Department of Power. The corportisation is scheduled from July 2002. The National Assembly of Bhutan has approved the Electricity Act 2001 in the 79th session on July 26, 2001.

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 Future Projects

 Generation

    Feasibility Study of Mangdechu Hydroelectric Project

The feasibility study of the Mangdechu Project under the NORAD/Norwegian Government funding has been completed. The study has found that a hydro power project of 360 MW capacity across the Mangdechu in Trongsa dzongkhag is feasible. The project construction investment is planned in the Ninth Five Year plan and it is expected to be completed in the Tenth Five Year plan.

    Feasibility Study of Punatsangchu Project

The feasibility study of the Punatsangchu hydroelectric project in Wangdephodrang dzongkhag under the Japan Government technical assistance has been completed. The study has found that a hydro power project of 870 MW capacity is feasible. The project construction investment is planned in the Ninth Five Year plan and it ia expected to be completed in the Tenth Five Year plan.

    Feasibility Study of Micro Hydels

Under the UNDP/GEF feasibility project, four micro hydel sites have been identified as feasible at Sengor (Mongar), Sakten (Trashigang), Tang (Bumthang) and Gasa. However, in the Ninth Five Year plan only three sites viz. Sengor, Sakten and Tang are planned for implementation. For electrification of Gasa, grid extension from Punakha is planned.

  Transmission

The major transmission projects planned are listed below:

    132 kV/33 kV Tintibi-Trongsa/Bumthang Transmission line and substations

    220/132/66/33 kV Basochu-Tsirang/ Dagana-Gelephu lines and substations

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